Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California
Respiratory therapist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in hospital systems, trauma centers, neonatal intensive care units, and home health networks, with openings at every level from new graduate to senior clinician and lead practitioner. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the largest share of postings, where major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Dignity Health maintain consistent hiring demand. The most in-demand specialties are neonatal and pediatric respiratory care, critical care and mechanical ventilation, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 114+ Respiratory Therapist jobs
Overview
Embark on a rewarding career with Desert Regional Medical Center hospital. If you are a compassionate healthcare professional eager to contribute to patient care, this is your opportunity where your skills make a difference every day. Join us in delivering exceptional healthcare with a personal touch.
At Desert Regional Medical Center, we understand that our greatest asset is our dedicated team of professionals. That’s why we offer more than a job – we provide a comprehensive benefit package that prioritizes your health, professional development, and work-life balance. The available plans and programs include:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Health savings accounts, healthcare & dependent flexible spending accounts
- Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder & childcare, auto & home insurance
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and is determined by employment status
Job Summary
Hours: 1900-0730
Job Type: Per Diem
Shift: Nights
The respiratory care practitioner (RCP) shall provide respiratory care to patients, and assist with functions necessary to support departmental functions. In addition, the RCP performs respiratory therapy in all non-critical areas, as well as critical care areas under minimal supervision. He/she shall complete established competencies for the position within the designated periods, and retain all applicable licensures and certifications necessary to provide respiratory care.
The Advanced Clinical Respiratory Care Practitioner provides complex patient care utilizing the most advanced concepts of Respiratory Therapy and patient focused care. The Advanced Clinical Respiratory Care Practitioner is actively involved with department protocols. He/she is a strong team member who acts as a resource as well as being involved with orientation and training of staff in the adult and pediatric care areas. Demographic information, limited Patient Health Information related to job function.
Pulmonary Services is a full service 24-hour department performing both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A Medical Director oversees the standard of care provided.
Responsibilities
- Performs direct and indirect respiratory care services; including but not limited to: the administration of pharmacological agents, pulmonary diagnostics (e.g. point of care testing), clinical documentation and care planning, as well as therapeutic treatments related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician or surgeon.
- Practices in accordance with regulatory standards and maintains compliance with facility policies and procedures.
- Establishes and maintains professional relationships with colleagues, physicians, and other care providers.
- Acts as a resource/consultant for other respiratory care practitioners and affiliated health care practitioners on pulmonary aspects of patient care interventions.
- Responds to emergency situations and facility CODEs.
- Maintains competencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory statues.
- Reports unusual patient conditions/reactions when identified to an immediate supervisor, including completion of a facility electronic occurrence report as appropriate.
- Prepares and maintains electronic documentation of all work/services rendered, providing written/verbal hand-off communication to oncoming staff.
- Helps perform quality control and maintenance on respiratory care equipment, including blood gas analyzers when appropriate.
- Helps maintain a safe working environment, including utilizing facility resources efficiently and effectively.
- Accurately identifies and addresses patient population specific needs.
- Participates in performance improvement activities, including department and facility-based quality measures.
- Assists with orientation, education, and training of department staff as appropriate
Qualifications
Required:
- Current Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in State of California
- Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician with 3 years’ experience or graduate of an AMA 2-4 year Respiratory Therapist program; or Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) w/ credentials awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care on or after July 01, 2002.
- Licensure must be maintained and current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association BLS Certification (maintain current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association ACLS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- Current American Heart Association PALS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- If in NICU, three (3) years of acute care experience, with completion with of Desert Regional Medical Center’s intubation certification program, BLS, NRP, within 90 days of hire (maintain current at all times).
- If Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner (ADV) – must complete criteria outlined in the facility’s Clinical Ladder policy, and provide all documentation for programmatic review and acceptance annually (if ineligible during any one cycle, the candidate will be returned to standard clinical RCP/RRT status).
Preferred:
- Two (2) to three (3) years acute care experience.
- Graduate of a 2-4 year AMA therapist program, or equivalent.
- Membership of a professional organization (i.e. ARRC, NBRC, etc).
#LI-DH1
Organization Description
Desert Care Network serves the healthcare needs of the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions in Southern California with three hospitals Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio and Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree. The hospital network provides advanced care with services such as comprehensive stroke care, a cancer center, a Level 1 Trauma Center and the only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Coachella Valley. Desert Care Network is committed to healthcare equality. Join our team!
Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.
Tenet participates in the E-Verify program. Follow the link below for additional information.
E-Verify: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
The employment practices of Tenet Healthcare and its companies comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Performs direct and indirect respiratory care services; including but not limited to: the administration of pharmacological agents, pulmonary diagnostics (e.g. point of care testing), clinical documentation and care planning, as well as therapeutic treatments related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician or surgeon.
- Practices in accordance with regulatory standards and maintains compliance with facility policies and procedures.
- Establishes and maintains professional relationships with colleagues, physicians, and other care providers.
- Acts as a resource/consultant for other respiratory care practitioners and affiliated health care practitioners on pulmonary aspects of patient care interventions.
- Responds to emergency situations and facility CODEs.
- Maintains competencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory statues.
- Reports unusual patient conditions/reactions when identified to an immediate supervisor, including completion of a facility electronic occurrence report as appropriate.
- Prepares and maintains electronic documentation of all work/services rendered, providing written/verbal hand-off communication to oncoming staff.
- Helps perform quality control and maintenance on respiratory care equipment, including blood gas analyzers when appropriate.
- Helps maintain a safe working environment, including utilizing facility resources efficiently and effectively.
- Accurately identifies and addresses patient population specific needs.
- Participates in performance improvement activities, including department and facility-based quality measures.
- Assists with orientation, education, and training of department staff as appropriate
Required:
- Current Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in State of California
- Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician with 3 years’ experience or graduate of an AMA 2-4 year Respiratory Therapist program; or Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) w/ credentials awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care on or after July 01, 2002.
- Licensure must be maintained and current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association BLS Certification (maintain current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association ACLS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- Current American Heart Association PALS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- If in NICU, three (3) years of acute care experience, with completion with of Desert Regional Medical Center’s intubation certification program, BLS, NRP, within 90 days of hire (maintain current at all times).
- If Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner (ADV) – must complete criteria outlined in the facility’s Clinical Ladder policy, and provide all documentation for programmatic review and acceptance annually (if ineligible during any one cycle, the candidate will be returned to standard clinical RCP/RRT status).
Preferred:
- Two (2) to three (3) years acute care experience.
- Graduate of a 2-4 year AMA therapist program, or equivalent.
- Membership of a professional organization (i.e. ARRC, NBRC, etc).
#LI-DH1
Overview
Embark on a rewarding career with Desert Regional Medical Center hospital. If you are a compassionate healthcare professional eager to contribute to patient care, this is your opportunity where your skills make a difference every day. Join us in delivering exceptional healthcare with a personal touch.
At Desert Regional Medical Center, we understand that our greatest asset is our dedicated team of professionals. That’s why we offer more than a job – we provide a comprehensive benefit package that prioritizes your health, professional development, and work-life balance. The available plans and programs include:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
- Generous paid time off
- Career development and continuing education opportunities
- Health savings accounts, healthcare & dependent flexible spending accounts
- Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
- Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder & childcare, auto & home insurance
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and is determined by employment status
Job Summary
Hours: 1900-0730
Job Type: Per Diem
Shift: Nights
The respiratory care practitioner (RCP) shall provide respiratory care to patients, and assist with functions necessary to support departmental functions. In addition, the RCP performs respiratory therapy in all non-critical areas, as well as critical care areas under minimal supervision. He/she shall complete established competencies for the position within the designated periods, and retain all applicable licensures and certifications necessary to provide respiratory care.
The Advanced Clinical Respiratory Care Practitioner provides complex patient care utilizing the most advanced concepts of Respiratory Therapy and patient focused care. The Advanced Clinical Respiratory Care Practitioner is actively involved with department protocols. He/she is a strong team member who acts as a resource as well as being involved with orientation and training of staff in the adult and pediatric care areas. Demographic information, limited Patient Health Information related to job function.
Pulmonary Services is a full service 24-hour department performing both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A Medical Director oversees the standard of care provided.
Responsibilities
- Performs direct and indirect respiratory care services; including but not limited to: the administration of pharmacological agents, pulmonary diagnostics (e.g. point of care testing), clinical documentation and care planning, as well as therapeutic treatments related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician or surgeon.
- Practices in accordance with regulatory standards and maintains compliance with facility policies and procedures.
- Establishes and maintains professional relationships with colleagues, physicians, and other care providers.
- Acts as a resource/consultant for other respiratory care practitioners and affiliated health care practitioners on pulmonary aspects of patient care interventions.
- Responds to emergency situations and facility CODEs.
- Maintains competencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory statues.
- Reports unusual patient conditions/reactions when identified to an immediate supervisor, including completion of a facility electronic occurrence report as appropriate.
- Prepares and maintains electronic documentation of all work/services rendered, providing written/verbal hand-off communication to oncoming staff.
- Helps perform quality control and maintenance on respiratory care equipment, including blood gas analyzers when appropriate.
- Helps maintain a safe working environment, including utilizing facility resources efficiently and effectively.
- Accurately identifies and addresses patient population specific needs.
- Participates in performance improvement activities, including department and facility-based quality measures.
- Assists with orientation, education, and training of department staff as appropriate
Qualifications
Required:
- Current Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in State of California
- Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician with 3 years’ experience or graduate of an AMA 2-4 year Respiratory Therapist program; or Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) w/ credentials awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care on or after July 01, 2002.
- Licensure must be maintained and current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association BLS Certification (maintain current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association ACLS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- Current American Heart Association PALS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- If in NICU, three (3) years of acute care experience, with completion with of Desert Regional Medical Center’s intubation certification program, BLS, NRP, within 90 days of hire (maintain current at all times).
- If Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner (ADV) – must complete criteria outlined in the facility’s Clinical Ladder policy, and provide all documentation for programmatic review and acceptance annually (if ineligible during any one cycle, the candidate will be returned to standard clinical RCP/RRT status).
Preferred:
- Two (2) to three (3) years acute care experience.
- Graduate of a 2-4 year AMA therapist program, or equivalent.
- Membership of a professional organization (i.e. ARRC, NBRC, etc).
#LI-DH1
Organization Description
Desert Care Network serves the healthcare needs of the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin regions in Southern California with three hospitals Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio and Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree. The hospital network provides advanced care with services such as comprehensive stroke care, a cancer center, a Level 1 Trauma Center and the only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Coachella Valley. Desert Care Network is committed to healthcare equality. Join our team!
Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.
Tenet participates in the E-Verify program. Follow the link below for additional information.
E-Verify: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
The employment practices of Tenet Healthcare and its companies comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Performs direct and indirect respiratory care services; including but not limited to: the administration of pharmacological agents, pulmonary diagnostics (e.g. point of care testing), clinical documentation and care planning, as well as therapeutic treatments related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician or surgeon.
- Practices in accordance with regulatory standards and maintains compliance with facility policies and procedures.
- Establishes and maintains professional relationships with colleagues, physicians, and other care providers.
- Acts as a resource/consultant for other respiratory care practitioners and affiliated health care practitioners on pulmonary aspects of patient care interventions.
- Responds to emergency situations and facility CODEs.
- Maintains competencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory statues.
- Reports unusual patient conditions/reactions when identified to an immediate supervisor, including completion of a facility electronic occurrence report as appropriate.
- Prepares and maintains electronic documentation of all work/services rendered, providing written/verbal hand-off communication to oncoming staff.
- Helps perform quality control and maintenance on respiratory care equipment, including blood gas analyzers when appropriate.
- Helps maintain a safe working environment, including utilizing facility resources efficiently and effectively.
- Accurately identifies and addresses patient population specific needs.
- Participates in performance improvement activities, including department and facility-based quality measures.
- Assists with orientation, education, and training of department staff as appropriate
Required:
- Current Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner in State of California
- Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician with 3 years’ experience or graduate of an AMA 2-4 year Respiratory Therapist program; or Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) w/ credentials awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care on or after July 01, 2002.
- Licensure must be maintained and current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association BLS Certification (maintain current at all times).
- Current American Heart Association ACLS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- Current American Heart Association PALS Certification (maintain current at all times); excludes NICU.
- If in NICU, three (3) years of acute care experience, with completion with of Desert Regional Medical Center’s intubation certification program, BLS, NRP, within 90 days of hire (maintain current at all times).
- If Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner (ADV) – must complete criteria outlined in the facility’s Clinical Ladder policy, and provide all documentation for programmatic review and acceptance annually (if ineligible during any one cycle, the candidate will be returned to standard clinical RCP/RRT status).
Preferred:
- Two (2) to three (3) years acute care experience.
- Graduate of a 2-4 year AMA therapist program, or equivalent.
- Membership of a professional organization (i.e. ARRC, NBRC, etc).
#LI-DH1
See All 114+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California
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Find Respiratory Therapist JobsRespiratory Therapist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Respiratory Therapist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in respiratory therapist jobs across California.
- Active California Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by the California Respiratory Care Board
- Registered Respiratory Therapist credential from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Current BLS certification and ACLS certification for critical care positions
- Associate or bachelor's degree from a CAPRC-accredited respiratory care program
- Clinical experience with mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas interpretation, and pulmonary function testing
- Experience in neonatal or pediatric respiratory care preferred for NICU and PICU roles
Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a respiratory therapist in California?
To practice as a respiratory therapist in California, you must hold an active Respiratory Care Practitioner license issued by the California Respiratory Care Board. Candidates must complete an accredited respiratory care program at the associate or bachelor's level, then pass the National Board for Respiratory Care examinations to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential before applying to the state board for licensure. California does not recognize licensure by endorsement, so all applicants must meet the state board's requirements directly.
How much do respiratory therapists make in California?
Respiratory therapists in California earn a median of about $104,820 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,010 for the lowest 10% to over $145,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire respiratory therapists in California?
Employers hiring respiratory therapists in California right now include Kindred Hospitals, AdaptHealth, and Lincare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems and academic medical centers tend to post the most consistently, given the state's scale and the high concentration of Level I trauma centers and specialty hospitals across its major metros.
Which California cities have the most respiratory therapist jobs?
The cities with the most respiratory therapist openings in California are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Stockton. This distribution reflects where California's largest hospital campuses, trauma centers, and health system headquarters are concentrated, and in some cases where large employers in suburban or secondary markets have expanded their acute care or home health operations to serve growing regional populations.
Are there remote respiratory therapist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Respiratory therapy is a hands-on clinical role that requires direct patient contact for nearly all core duties, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 8% of respiratory therapist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those that exist tend to involve telehealth respiratory monitoring, case management coordination, or clinical education and training roles rather than bedside care.
How can I get hired as a respiratory therapist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate respiratory therapist roles or respiratory care resident programs at large California health systems such as Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health, which run structured onboarding for candidates without independent clinical experience. Completing your California Respiratory Care Practitioner licensure before applying gives you a clear edge. Candidates from adjacent roles such as respiratory therapy technician, pulmonary function technician, or EMT can also use that background to compete for entry-level openings in home health and outpatient pulmonary settings.
Where can I find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to respiratory therapist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospital systems, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, and specialty care settings. Find the roles that fit your credentials and experience level and apply directly.
See All 114+ Respiratory Therapist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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